NVIDIA CMP 170HX Graphics Card 8 GB

The CMP 170HX 8 GB is an enthusiast-class professional graphics card by NVIDIA, launched on September 1st, 2021. Built on the 7 nm process, and based on the GA100 graphics processor, in its GA100-105F-A1 variant, the card does not support DirectX. Since CMP 170HX 8 GB does not support DirectX 11 or DirectX 12, it might not be able to run all the latest games. The GA100 graphics processor is a large chip with a die area of 826 mm² and 54,200 million transistors. Unlike the fully unlocked DRIVE A100 PROD, which uses the same GPU but has all 6912 shaders enabled, NVIDIA has disabled some shading units on the CMP 170HX 8 GB to reach the product’s target shader count. It features 4480 shading units, 280 texture mapping units, and 128 ROPs. Also included are 280 tensor cores which help improve the speed of machine learning applications. NVIDIA has paired 8 GB HBM2e memory with the CMP 170HX 8 GB, which are connected using a 4096-bit memory interface. The GPU is operating at a frequency of 1140 MHz, which can be boosted up to 1410 MHz, memory is running at 1458 MHz.

Its power draw is rated at 250 W maximum. This device has no display connectivity, as it is not designed to have monitors connected to it. CMP 170HX 8 GB is connected to the rest of the system using a PCI-Express 4.0 x4 interface. Its price at launch was 4299 US Dollars.

Key Features:

1. Mining-Focused Architecture

• No Display Outputs
  • The 170HX is headless, devoting all power and silicon resources to mining tasks. This design choice reduces overhead and ensures consistent performance without non-essential GPU features for gaming or visualization.
• Mining-Optimized Drivers
  • Delivers stable hash rate maintenance and improved memory handling for cryptomining algorithms, particularly memory-intensive coins like Ethereum.

2. High Hash Rate and Memory Bandwidth

• ~160–165 MH/s (Approx.)
  • Typically delivers a hash rate of around 160–165 MH/s for Ethereum under ideal configurations, making it the most powerful GPU in the CMP lineup.
• 8GB HBM2e Memory
  • Uses ultra-fast HBM2e memory (rather than GDDR6/6X) to provide exceptional memory bandwidth, crucial for coins reliant on large DAG files and memory-intensive computations.

3. Robust Cooling and Power Management

• Data Center-Grade Thermal Solutions
  • Often features a passively cooled design or specialized airflow solutions, intended for server or rack-mounted enclosures with optimized ventilation.
• TDP and Power Efficiency
  • Consumes around 250–300W (model-dependent), offering a competitive power-to-hash ratio for professional mining farms requiring 24/7 stable operation.

4. Enterprise Reliability

• Continuous 24/7 Operation
  • Built with durable components and targeted driver support to handle unbroken mining workloads day in, day out with minimal downtime.
• No GeForce Features
  • By focusing on cryptomining, the 170HX forgoes consumer GPU elements (display, gaming enhancements) to direct all performance toward hashing efficiency.

5. Scalable for Mining Farms

• Simplified Integration
  • Headless design makes it easy to slot multiple 170HX boards into specialized mining motherboards or server racks for large-scale operations.
• Reduces Demand on Gaming GPUs
  • Providing a dedicated mining solution helps keep GeForce supplies more available to gamers and creators.

Applications:

1. Cryptocurrency Mining
   • Ethereum (ETH)
     – Excellent performance for Ethereum mining, benefiting from high memory bandwidth and large DAG file handling capacity.
   • Other Memory-Intensive Altcoins
     – Potentially suitable for other GPU-mined coins that rely on a memory-heavy Proof-of-Work algorithm.
2. Enterprise or Data Center Mining Farms
   • High-Density Racks
     – Passive-cooling or specialized enclosures let operators install multiple 170HX boards, scaling hash rates efficiently.
   • 24/7 Mission-Critical Mining
     – Engineered for consistent output, reduced overhead, and stable operation over extended periods.
3. Dedicated Mining Rigs and Clusters
   • Serious Enthusiasts
     – Miners seeking best-in-class hash rates can integrate the 170HX to achieve top performance in a single or multi-GPU mining rig.
   • Professional Crypto Startups
     – Perfect for launching or expanding cryptomining ventures with predictable returns on investment due to high hash rate and reliable design.

Why Choose the NVIDIA CMP 170HX?

1. Top-Tier Hash Rate
   • Provides ~160–165 MH/s on Ethereum, significantly outpacing lower-tier mining GPUs, thereby maximizing returns for professionals.
2. HBM2e Memory
   • Boasts ultra-fast memory for memory-bound algorithms, reducing bottlenecks typical in GDDR-based mining cards.
3. Data Center-Grade Engineering
   • Delivers reliability, consistent performance, and cooling solutions suitable for HPC or large-scale mining deployments.
4. Headless Operation for Pure Mining
   • No gaming overhead or display connectors—ensuring all GPU resources are devoted to cryptomining tasks around the clock.
5. Enhanced Efficiency
   • Achieves competitive performance-per-watt, helping reduce electricity costs and manage heat in high-density server or farm environments.